One of the most exciting things about the Pokémon World Championships is the chance to meet some of the most important people in the world of Pokémon. Don’t miss this chance to connect with some of the amazing minds behind your favorite Pokémon games. They will also be on hand to sign your favorite pieces of Pokémon memorabilia—don’t forget to bring something cool for them to sign!

Tsunekazu Ishihara

President & Chief Executive Officer,
The Pokémon Company

In 1995, Tsunekazu Ishihara established a game planning and production company named Creatures Inc. and produced the video games Pocket Monster Aka and Pocket Monster Midori (Pokémon Red and Pokémon Blue). In 1998, Mr. Ishihara participated in the founding of Pokémon Center Co., Ltd. (currently The Pokémon Company), and assumed the post of president. Currently, Mr. Ishihara works closely with the Pokémon Trading Card Game and the entire Pokémon universe, including the animated series for TV and the theatrical movies.

Junichi Masuda

Director, GAME FREAK inc.

Junichi Masuda has been involved with the Pokémon brand since the development of the first Pokémon video game. He is engaged in the development of all video games created by GAME FREAK inc., and responsible for a broad array of work including game design, music composition, script writing, and programming. Mr. Masuda was the Director of the Pokémon X and Pokémon Y video games and Producer of the Pokémon Omega Ruby and Pokémon Alpha Sapphire video games.

Shigeru Ohmori

Game Director, GAME FREAK inc.

Shigeru Ohmori started working at GAME FREAK inc. in 2001. Mr. Ohmori has worked on game design and map design for the Pokémon series beginning with Pokémon Ruby and Pokémon Sapphire. He was the Planning Director of Pokémon X and Pokémon Y. As the Director of Pokémon Omega Ruby and Pokémon Alpha Sapphire, Mr. Ohmori was in charge of the overall game design.